From the Rector
Dear Friends in Christ,
One of my favorite writers is G.K. Chesterton. Much of his writing is about faith but he commented on all sorts of matters regarding the human condition. One quote of his I think about frequently has to do with giving thanks. He writes, “I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought; and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.”
We can never say thank you enough in church—to one another for faithful care and service, and to God for his loving-kindness and mercy.
In the spirit of saying thank you to one another, I want to announce this year’s recipients of the Saint Philip’s medals. These awards recognize long, dedicated service at Saint Philip’s. For those who have been around a while, none of these names will come as a surprise!
For those who are newer, I hope you’ll take the chance to get to know the folks named below and to thank them for the loving work that has been such a part of passing on the place we love to us.
The year’s recipients are:
Peg Anderson: Peg has been a tireless advocate for those in need in our community and has served in parish leadership in a number of roles. She has been at the center of spearheading initiatives and ensuring the support of long-standing ones. Her commitment to give voice to the voiceless has shaped the life and character of Saint Philip’s in ways that are both profound and lasting. There is virtually no service that we offer the wider community that has not been complemented by her energy and faith.
Herb Burton: Herb has served as treasurer through some of the most tumultuous years in our parish history as the pandemic threw all of our planning into deep uncertainty. He has filled the role of treasurer with faithful grace, never losing sight of our deepest priorities while also being a careful steward of the generosity of so many. He has served in many roles here and the security of our future lies, in no small part, in the labor and love he has given over these many years.
Bob Couch: Anyone who loves this place and its architecture and history should give thanks for Bob’s work. He has given countless hours to the care, maintenance, and sustenance of this campus. He has managed not only the big picture but also the details. You could find him literally on his hands and knees leveling bricks in our gardens to prevent falls. His care has not been just for the buildings for their own sake but for the sake of those who have and will worship here.
Warren Edminster: Warren has offered his talents as an architect over and over again through the decades. Almost every phase of our campus development has been touched by his gifts and skill. He has thrown himself into so many different projects here with energy, joy, and faith. Any conversation with him opens your eyes so that you see this place with the love he has for it. The spaces where we pray, play, sing, rest, learn, and worship have all been tended and shaped by not just his talent but by his deep faith and love.
Carol Jones: Throughout the pandemic, we all needed that trusted friend who was a medical professional to help us understand what was happening and how we could keep ourselves and our families healthy. Carol was that friend and professional. As Parish Nurse she helped guide not just our response to the pandemic but also how we dealt with many of the day-to-day cares and concerns. Whether it was helping people avoid falls, manage grief, or deal with a sense of chronic loneliness, Carol was always thinking of ways for us to care for the many people who call Saint Philip’s home.
Bonnie Winn: Inevitably, when someone asks the question, “who would be good at this?” Bonnie’s name will almost immediately get mentioned! She is one of those people with so many different skills that they are hard to list. She has offered those many gifts in our music, outreach, administration, stewardship, and more. Her name always comes up because people know she will not only do a good job but that she will do it with care, thoughtfulness, and generosity. Few here do so much so well and Bonnie is one of those people who lends you her energy when yours is flagging, her joy when spirits are down, and her wisdom when it’s most needed.
More will be said on Saint Philip’s Day (Sunday, May 7) when we will thank each of these people at the celebration between the 9:00am and 11:15am services in the Murphey Gallery. If Saint Philip’s Day is a day when we give thanks for the life we share here, it makes sense for it to also be a day when we thank those who have been such a vital part of sustaining and sharing that life through the years. I hope you will come to thank them and celebrate!
Yours in Christ,
—Fr Robert